CHRISTMASTHE CHRISTMAS SEASON HAS COME ROUND AGAINWhat joy many will say -- if they have not to think about presents8 December 2008More...

COATS of ARMS INDEXES
The Institute (IHGS, Northgate, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 1BA -01227-768664 - www.ihgs.ac.uk) has one of the largest collections of armorials covering all countries of Great britain, Europe and elsewhere, including the greatSIEBMACHER
A General-Index of the 130,000 names in all editions of Siebmacher from 1605 to 1961,totalling 101 volumes.
Searches in the Index are free of charge: details of the entry are charged at £18 post free.20 November 2008More...

THE INSTITUTE OF HERALDIC AND GENEALOGICAL STUDIESThe Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies (IHGS) was the first centre for Family History Studies was founded Canterbury in 1961. (www.ihgs.ac.uk)
For more information, please contact the Librarian on (01227 768664).
Contact the Principal on admin@britishancestry.org for further advice
For professional research contact www.achievements.co.uk28 September 2008More...

THE CAMEO
A story of true encounters
By
Cecil R. Humphery-SmithSYNOPSIS
Local mayors governed the several quarters of Naples in post-war Italy were. Their political supporters took every advantage of international aid from UNRA, the U.S. Government, and like bodies, to line their own pockets. The particular brand of the Mafia in these areas of Naples, commonly known as the Camorra, exploited shopkeepers by protection rackets, prostitution and controlling the underworld as well as undermining the tobacco monopoly of the state. It was common knowledge that the US intervention encouraged Mafia to overcome Communism. One particular gang leader with pretensions to an aristocratic life above his humble back street origins had extended his protection to the farms and the growing industry in tomato juice and pulp production. He also maintained a finger in the rich pie of post-war reconstruction as well as the building industry. Another was exploiting the docks where the communists were gaining more and more control.
This is a documentary story and is based upon autobiographical experiences when the author was working as an agricultural and quality control chemist for major international companies between 1954 and 1976, along with biographical material collected from personal encounters, experiences, and warm friendships with local individuals.
The author has, particularly, attempted to portray the short life of a young man from the slums of the market area of Naples. It follows the life of Luigi Angeli, a scooter mechanic, who takes up a new career as a cameo carver to escape a Camorra vendetta. It shows him to be basically a good and generous young man driven by his Faith and compassion for others. His inspiration comes from his impoverished yet happy family background, the problems faced by his family and neighbours as well as by the farmers in the tomato fields. His father has his own problems with workers in the docks increasingly under Communist control. After a series of brutal killings, Luigi sets out to bring peace and to end corruption. He attempted, with the help of a parish priest and local urchins, to achieve reconciliation between the gang leaders for the ultimate benefit of his people. Lives, including Luigi's, are tragically sacrificed in his attempt to bring peace to the district.
The fast moving story contains warm passages of family life, and romance. In spite of the violence that the story contains, the essentially gentle cultural philosophy of the people and the pride in craftsmanship of the carver of the cameo are revealed along with the tenacity of religious devotion that pervades the spirit of the Neapolitan people. Joy mixes with distress, and, also with some of the culinary delights of the inhabitants of this ancient city.For personal reasons the names of some of the characters have been changed.
Dear Reader, Here you have Chapter One and six scenes from Chapter Two of an unpublished book of 16 chapters that I have written from notes from my time in Italy during 1955, 1960-75 and at intervals since.
If you would like to read the rest of the book and its sequels please tell me on the contact form.24 September 2008More...

METAL DETECTION
Almost unbelievably, my work illustrating and referencing coats of arms found in armorial rolls from the 13th century, ANGLO-NORMAN ARMORY TWO is about to be reprinted once more.
New Edition: Order now at £27.50 from FAMILY HISTORY BOOKS (www.ihgs.ac.uk)18 September 2008More...

DEFINITION
Several versions of what constitutes FAMILY HISTORY have been promulgated over the past century. In the journal of that name that I have edited since 1962, editorials have aluded to definitions.7 August 2008More...

A BRASS RUBBINGMY BRASS RUBBING
I am frequently asked for a family history story. I don't think I have ever published the one that I always tell people about the brass rubbings in my room. The one that is on a board should be photographed as an illustration and so should the picture next to it of the document with the Great Seal of James I. Many years ago (1959) I was asked by Douglas Salmon of the BBC to get involved in a programme called "If only I had the Chance". The idea was that viewers could tell them what they had always longed to do or to discover and they would find the experts to fulfil the ambition. One challenge came from a man called Richard Turpin was a radio ham with the call name "highwayman". If he only had the chance he would try to discover if he were related to Dick Turpin.1 August 2008More...

RICHARD III
In the Ricardian vol.13 (2003) - the Richard III Society bulletin, Ann Smith published an account of Richard Plantagenet, otherwise known as Richard of Eastwell in Kent. Like many, I, Cecil Humphery-Smith, believe that he could well have been Richard III's illegitimate son. Evidence remains circumstantial. It is stated that on the eve of the Battle of Bosworth King Richard III acknowledged a third bastard.
In the last few pages of his work, Royal Blood, Bertram Field shows how the issue of Richard extends through the European empire and could well bring peace to the whole of the world.30 July 2008More...

FAITHSFAITHS
AND DOCUMENTATION OF THE FAMILY
By Cecil Humphery-Smith.
Much of family historical studies in Western Europe before the introduction of General Registration in the Nineteenth Century depended upon the records of the Christian Church and the internal administration of individual sects within it, Catholic before the Reformation and Church of England afterward.13 July 2008More...

BOOKS and MANUSCRIPTS
Due to the accumulation of duplicate material in my personal collection, I am offering some original manuscripts and some printed books in good condition for sale to the highest bid received in any 24 hour period as I shall determine. CONTACT ME FOR BOOKLIST ON scatterbr@sky.com15 May 2008More...

COATS OF ARMS IN CANTERBURY CATHEDRALCOATS OF ARMS IN CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL
In the early 1940's my God Father, the Venerable K. Julian F.Bickersteth MC,returned to Canterbury and invited me to complete a catalogue of heraldry in the cathedral. I have published several lectures since and have an index ready for pulication. Do let me know if you are prepared to purchase a copy for say £10 post-free.10 April 2008More...

BUCKET-SHOP HERALDRY"YOUR OWN COAT OF ARMS"YOUR VERY OWN CREST
How many times have you seen such an advertisement and perhaps been tempted to pay a comparatively small sum to acquire a shield supposedly of the insignia of your family?
communicate with scatterbr@sky.com5 March 2008More...

RESEARCH SERVICES
Research Services: The Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies is supported by the leading team of professional qualifies genealogists and heraldists in the world. Their services are at your command.
Contact them www.achievements.co.uk 01227 4626189 October 2007More...

ACHIEVEMENTS 1957-2007Profile
With a wide and varied experience of studying British ancestry in the UK, throughout Europe and overseas over more than 60 years, Cecil Humphery-Smith has achieved much in the world of heraldry, genealogy and related studies continuing to educate and lead the field. Here is some outline of his career. Have you asked someone to write down your achievements yet?
click on www.ihgs.ac.uk7 October 2007More...

COURSES -COURSES - COURSES
Since the 1940's, I have been giving lectures and teaching at courses in heraldry and genealogy. With the foundation of The School of Family History in 1957 and of The Institute of heraldic and genealogical Studies in Canterbury in 1961, this work has continued to bring the knowledge and love of family history studies in reach of everyone. The Institute's efforts have been emulated all over the world but it still continues its original role in education. The current programme is high class and exciting, aimed at leading participators to work towards worthwhile qualifications.
Places on the course are filling fast so if you do wish to attend, it is advised that you book (registrar@ihgs.ac.uk) as soon as possible.
Cecil Humphery-Smith, OBE, FSA,
Principal contact principal@ihgs.ac.uk3 October 2007More...

EVIDENCEWARNING
Do try to read this essay to the end and appreciate that it is intended to help you to stpe back and consider the accuracy of your research work. Then, happy hunting.
communicate with cecil.ancestry@googlemail.com
or, better scatterbr@sky.com
or
principal@ihgs.ac.uk
"Yes, I have all the evidence," she wrote. "I got it off the Internet."
So, that was that. She was right and I was wrong, she argued.
There is a serious cause of trouble for family history research on the Internet. What a wonderful source it is; but most people see it as a free means of obtaining everything they wanted to know about their ancestries. Only with knowledge of how it is compiled can they appreciate the hazards of misusing it. Be warned of the reliability of sources. www.achievements.co.uk supports the work of the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies through a team of trained experts who know how to reach the facts.12 September 2007More...

HERALDRY
Many a family has an illustration of a coat of arms painted and in a frame, engraved on silver, a bookplate or signet ring, or in some other form. A good number of these will have been granted officially, others may be invented, but some have simply been misappropriated because of similarity of surname. Here is a fascinating example.
contact principal@ihgs.ac.uk1 September 2007More...

MORE HERALDRY FOR GENEALOGISTS
Continuing to study coats of arms and what they have to tell us brings the symbolism into use to identify families into perspective. Its historical origins and development may interest readers.
The fuller story and accompanying pedigree for this article appear in FAMILY HISTORY.
contact principal@ihgs.ac.uk1 August 2007More...

PRINCES
Controversy still rages over the fate of the "Princes in the Tower, Edward V and the prince Richard
communicate with cecil.ancestry@googlemail.com29 July 2007More...